Discovering blogs...

I soaked in her art, relating to the out of ordinary work she was creating. Stark images, not filled with sunlight, but bare branches and grey skies. The mix of techniques and unusual materials excited me. She had a free, no boundaries type of creating that allowed me to relax and enjoy the process of learning and experimenting.

She taught me how to journal my processes, balance my time with parenting and personal expression (I did not have the guts to call my work "art" yet, it was just what I needed to do to things.).

She shared her life, in deeply personal ways that drew me into her world and had me cheering her on.

I never commented, my words were always said more eloquently by others, but she was a part of my life.

Susan's rough unpolished industrial work gave me ways to think outside the box. Using assortments of odd materials to build personal talisman was a way to create without having to purchase main stream supplies.

While it would still be awhile before I could pay for a full metal bench, Susan's influence in found object jewelry kept me happily assembling until I could afford to invest in a Jewelry Technicians course that taught me metal basics.

These women and their willingness to share themselves, changed me.

I am so grateful and hope as time passes I can do the same for another girl. Perhaps sitting on the floor of an old bookstore as I type, flipping through used pages of some altered art publication and feeling something spark, grow and extend into.....

2 comments:

Shannon, if I had a similar blog post, you would be included in my list. I stumbled upon your blog a few years ago and fell in love with your patina-ted components. Over the years I have read about the changes in your life and I admire how you have opened up and shared your life with us. I am inspired by your ability to write from the heart, which is something I struggle with.